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Charuvila Philippose v. P.V. Sivadasan: Harmonizing India’s Civil Procedure Code and the Hague Service Convention
Written by George Jacob, Incoming Associate, Bombay Law Chambers
Globalisation has led to a rise in cross-border disputes, making international service of summons increasingly relevant. While domestic service in India is straightforward, sending summons to foreign defendants involves complex legal procedures. Proper service ensures that the defendant is duly notified and can respond, embodying the principle of audi alteram partem. Until recently, the procedure for international service in India was unclear. This ambiguity was addressed by the Kerala High Court in Charuvila Philippose v. P.V. Sivadasan.[1] This blog outlines the legal frameworks for international service, revisits the earlier Mollykutty[2] decision, and analyses the broader implications of Charuvila Philippose. Read more
Foreign Judgments and Indirect Jurisdiction in Dubai (UAE): One Step Forward, One Step Back?
I. Introduction:
In 2024, the Dubai Supreme Court rendered a significant decision on the issue of indirect jurisdiction under UAE law. Commenting on that decision (see here), I noted that it offered “a welcome, and a much-awaited clarification regarding what can be considered one of the most controversial requirements in the UAE enforcement system” (italic in the original).
The decision commented on here touches on the same issue. Yet rather than confirming the direction suggested in the above-mentioned decision, the Court regrettably reverted to its prior, more restrictive approach. This shift raises doubts about whether a consistent jurisprudence on indirect jurisdiction is taking shape, or whether the legal framework remains fragmented and unpredictable.
Enforceability Denied! When the SICC’s Authority Stopped at India’s Gate
Written by Tarasha Gupta, BALLB (Hons), Jindal Global Law School, and Saloni Khanderia, Professor, Jindal Global Law School (India)
The Singapore International Commercial Court (“SICC”) has become a preferred hub for hearing litigation and arbitration of international commercial disputes. Accordingly, many decisions from the SICC require recognition and enforcement in India.
In this light, a recent judgment from the Delhi High Court (“HC”) is a significant development providing relief to those wishing to enforce the SICC’s judgments in India. In Discovery Drilling Pte Ltd v. Parmod Kumar & Anr,[1] the HC has held that the SICC is a superior court under Section 44A of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (“CPC”). As a result, its judgments can be directly executed in India. That said, the HC ultimately held the judgment in question to be unenforceable, as it failed to meet the tests in Section 13 of the CPC.
This article breaks down the arguments and legal context behind the HC’s judgment. It also highlights how the case demonstrates flaws in India’s regime, which create difficulties not just for creditors trying to enforce foreign judgments in India, but also in enforcing India’s judgments abroad. Read more
News
Hague Academy Collected Courses published in 2025
The following information was kindly shared with us by De Gryuter Brill.
The Hague Academy is a renowned international institution dedicated to the study and teaching of public and private international law. Supported and recognized by the United Nations, the Academy aims to foster rigorous and impartial analysis of legal issues arising from international relations. Its courses address both theoretical and practical dimensions of international law, including legislation and case law. In principle, all courses are published in the Collected Courses of The Hague Academy of International Law in the language in which they were originally delivered. The courses on private international law that were published in 2025 are:
- Volume 451: Garcimartin, F.: Responses to a Legally Fragmented World: A Private Law Perspective (General Course of Private International Law)
- Volume 449: Esplugues, C.: New Dimensions in the Application of Foreign Law by Courts (and Arbitrators) and Non-Judicial Authorities
- Volume 446: Dickinson, A.: Natural Justice in Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments
- Volume 446: McLachlan, C.: On the Interface Between Public and Private International Law (General Course on International Law)
- Volume 445: Rodríguez Benot, A.: Le régime économique des couples en droit international privé
For a full listing, including the courses on public international law and international arbitration, please visit The Hague Academy Collected Courses Online / Recueil des cours de l’Académie de La Haye en ligne.
Virtual Workshop (in English) on February 3, 2026: Stellina Jolly on “Forging a Path for Climate Justice: Integrating Public and Private International Law in Transboundary Litigation in India”
On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the Hamburg Max Planck Institute will host its monthly virtual workshop Current Research in Private International Law at 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (CEST). Stellina Jolly (South Asian University) will speak, in English, about the topic
“Forging a Path for Climate Justice: Integrating Public and Private International Law in Transboundary Litigation in India”
Cross-border climate litigation, gaining traction globally, requires active engagement with private international law for effective dispute adjudication. Although Indian climate jurisprudence has not yet substantively addressed cross-border disputes, emerging trends suggest that this scenario may soon evolve. The talk analyses three plausible litigation scenarios involving Indian and foreign parties to assess the readiness of Indian private international law in addressing transboundary climate harm. Firstly, Indian plaintiffs filing cases in foreign jurisdictions against transnational corporations headquartered abroad, alleging climate-related harm caused within India; secondly, foreign plaintiffs filing cases before Indian courts for the harm caused by Indian transnational corporations in their jurisdictions; thirdly, foreign plaintiffs filing cases before Indian courts for the transboundary harm caused by Indian companies as a result of their Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The talk evaluates the adequacy of Indian private international law in addressing cross-border climate cases and proposes incorporating environmental and human rights considerations in the determination of choice of law.
The presentation will be followed by open discussion. All are welcome. More information and sign-up here.
If you want to be invited to these events in the future, please write to veranstaltungen@mpipriv.de.
New Book: La circolazione dello statuto personale / La circulation du statut personnel
A new collective volume entitled “La circolazione dello statuto personale / La circulation du statut personnel” has recently been published by Pacini Giuridica. Edited by Gustavo Cerqueira (Nice), Nicolas Nord (Strasbourg) and Claudio Scognamiglio (Rome), the book brings together the proceedings of an international conference held on 19 January 2024 in Rome, in the prestigious Giallombardo Hall of the Italian Court of Cassation. Read more